Help--My Kid is Driving Me Crazy: The 17 Ways Kids Manipulate Their Parents, and What You Can Do About It

A practical guide, finally!

This was an excellent book. I have a six year old who was always a very easy toddler and baby. You said no, she accepted, never caused a scene, never misbehaved. Then suddenly at 5 years old after starting kindergarten she really began testing boundaries at home. I reread so many parenting books and I would nod my head and say, yes, consistent limits, enforce punishments, praise good behavior...but I’m already doing that. Whyyyy is it not working. Enter this book. Honestly, after a particularly trying evening with my daughter, I googled “My kid is driving me crazy” and this book came up. I read some reviews and thought it was worth a read. The book explains that in addition to setting consistent limits and praising good behavior, there is an emotional component, that if not acknowledged will undermine all the effective limits you put into place. For me the biggest take away was: do not engage with a child who is trying to get her way. If the child notices any irritation or annoyance in your voice the child wins even if you stay consistent with the limit. She then sees that you are affected by her bad behavior. She is angry and she is able to make you angry too, and that is power. She will gladly accept a consequence because she won on the emotional battleground. I read this about three months ago and it has made so much of a difference with my daughter. Read more